BaseNZ.com - Wanaka/Snow/Life

Janina Kuzma Wins the Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:25:00 +0000

Janina Kuzma Wins the Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships and is Awarded backcountry.com's SickBird Award

The forbidden Cirque of Kirkwood Mountain Resort comes alive, as the showdown unfolds through finals of the fifth stop of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour

Kirkwood, California (9March 2010) — Janina Kuzma’s airplane-turn into a tight choke in one of the steepest sections of Kirkwood Mountain Resort’s infamous Cirque called the ''Hidden Chute'' earned her first place at the fifth stop of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and she is now ranked fourth overall on the tour.

Janina Kuzma - photo: Julie Weinberger

Weather moved in during the final heats and Kuzma considered altering her game plan.

“I was going to change my line but I stuck with my guns, stayed on my feet and I’m really happy,” said Janina.

Her aggressiveness was further rewarded with the contest’s Backcountry.com Sickbird Award which honours the skier who most represents the sport’s heart and soul while ''going big'’. This is one of the few times a female has won the coveted trophy.

Janina Kuzma one of the only women to ever win The Backcountry.com Sickbird Award – Photo: Ben Meester-MSI

Behind Kuzma, going home with the second place, was Angel Collinson, of Snowbird, Utah, a rookie on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and in third place was Crystal-Rose Lee, of Whistler, British Columbia.

As the wind whistled over the razor-sharp rock spires of Kirkwood’s Cirque, skiers readied their gear and nerves for the fifth stop of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour. This is one of the most-respected steep skiing contests in the world and the venue at Kirkwood Mountain Resort has become notorious due to its steep, technical slopes and because it is permanently closed to the public. This weekend marked the 13th consecutive year of the competition coming to Kirkwood and it was a true spectacle.

Athletes scoping their line Photo: Ben Meester-MSI

The Cirque is a 1,500-vertical-foot wall of rock which resembles some of Alaska’s most aesthetic peaks. It has ski lines that get upwards of 60-degrees in slope angle which means that if you could somehow stand still on it, your extended elbow would touch the mountain.

As the competition got going last Thursday, Kirkwood received two feet of powder. Event organizers saved the most challenging section of the Cirque for Sunday’s final which guaranteed perfect conditions.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the bottom of the natural amphitheatre which afforded awesome views of the incredible skiing taking place up above. People arrived on skis or by snow cat and there was an air of festival. Until the weather moved in at the end, it was a massive California sun picnic. Between heats, long time tour competitor Ted Davenport thrilled the crowd by ski-parasailing from the peak and sliding to a stop in the finish area.

Thousands tuned in Sunday to watch the final round of The Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships LIVE on www.freeskiingworldtour.com.

For complete results, photos, videos, athlete profiles and more, please visit www.freeskiingworldtour.com.

Article care of New Zealand Snow Sports

Watch The Ride Shakedown Live Stream

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:44:00 +0000

The Ride Shakedown is happening this Saturday 10am NZ time live from Summit at Snoqualmie check out the live webcast below

Ride Shakedown’s concept is a laidback, live-it-up event with minimal restrictions on the riders, assaulting two disciplines: the Big Air and the Rail Jam, featuring a rail with surface textures to be revealed only on the first day of competition. This year, the Shakedown will make its debut in the U.S. and $35,000 will be up for grabs. Watch the madness live... exclusively on FUEL.TV

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A Note from Wanaka Athlete Carl Murphy

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:16:00 +0000

Hey,

I am just putting together some thank you cards for everyone that helped out.

Thanks so much for your help and the products were well received by the guests. We used the items from Base as spot prizes for all that attended.

I raised a total of $3500 so am stoked about that. Means I can now eat on my North America trip!

Thanks so much for helping me out. Its great to see some many local businesses getting behind a local athlete. It was a huge success.

I leave for America on Sunday and am away for 5 weeks. I have 2 world cup events along with the Canadian and USA nationals. All going to plan I will have a couple of medals on the trip home.

Thanks again and talk soon.

Carl

Oakley Goggles are In Store!!

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:10:00 +0000

Hi team
the new range of Oakley Goggles for 2010 have dropped in store and they are looking super fly. The newest addition to the range the new Oakley Splice is looking super fresh and is based on the Crowbar shape and fit but has a new skeletal support system over the nose bridge area. This is intended to relieve pressure on the nasal passages to make breathing easier and increase airflow thru the goggle. The Splice also has a new semi flush interchangeable lens, this has optimized downward visibility which should be great for dropping those steep lines. This new lens setup has also made changing a lens way faster. Oakley have put some of the best and most out there colours in the Splice, check out the Kaleidoscope Block text with Fire Irididium lens - Bling!

The first signature Splice has gone to Simon Dumont who has come up with a very styley red based colourway called the Griffon Red. Check it out.

On other signature model changes Tanner Hall has updated his Crowbar colourway taking the rasta look a bit further, personally i think it's a better look than his last colourway.

Seth Morrison also gets an updated Signature Crowbar colourway and although it is an evolution of his last colour, this new colour is sick, I'm picking it to be a top seller.

Also getting in on the new signature colour action is Gretchen Bleiler who gets 2 new colours one Stockholm and one A Frame. Gretchen's A Frame is a nice matte white frame with a purple print design and a purple strap with gold icons, it has a nice luxury feel to it. The women's specific fit of the Stockholm gets an aqua blue treatment for Gretchen's signature version and has a real fresh look.

Shaun White is also rocking a new colourway for his signature A Frame's called Illusion stripe, looks pretty sweet I reckon.

Snowboard icon Terje has also tweaked his signature Crowbar and keeps the nordic theme from his old colourway but freshen's things up nicely.

The regular Oakley A Frame gets some nice colours, my pick as top seller is the Industrial Khaki and we've also got quite a few colours with the Fire Iridium lens as standard.

The Stockholm the new colour range is looking great with Lava Scroll and Arcade Plaid White the standout colours.

The Crowbar has easily been our top seller for quite a few years now and for good reason, it's fits great and looks rad. Plenty of sweet colours for this year too, you would have seen the Canada colour at the Vancouver Winter Olympics for sure.

A new addition to our range this year is the value priced Oakley Ambush which has a regular cylindrical lens but otherwise all the same goodness as the top end models. To get some pop on the hill you can't go past the Retina Burn colour, so Fresh.

All in all Oakley have come thru with a really dope range for this year, if you want to stick some on your head this winter check out the whole range here and give us a buzz (0800 BASESHOP) or an email shop@basenz.com

Don't forget we carry a full range of replacement lenses for all the Oakley Goggles we sell including replacement lenses for the new Splice, the Stockholm and the Ambush. we also have plenty of lens options including Fire Iridium, Blue Iridium and H.I. Yellow for most models.

Kuzma to Compete at Nissan Tram Face Squaw Valley USA

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:04:00 +0000

Third Stage of the Freeride World Tour

Contest Day: 27 February

Squaw Valley, USA – February 23, 2010 – With one podium and one near miss at the first two stops the Freeride World Tour, Janina Kuzma has received an invite to the third stop which is scheduled for Saturday 27 February in Squaw Valley.

Kuzma on Podium at First Stop of Freeride World Tour in Chamonix

The pressure is rising with two out of four competitions already completed of the Freeride World Tour 2010. By the third tour stage, the leading candidates for the Freeride World Champion title will be looking to make a major impression on the infamous Tram Face in Squaw Valley USA, a face that has never officially been ridden before.

Strictly illegal to ski, the Tram Face is being opened specifically for the Freeride World Tour competition. Its steep and seemingly un-skiable pitch, permanent closure, and tantalizing location in perfect view from Squaw Valley’s Village and base area, have made it a coveted descent among the strong local freeride community.

Conditions are great this year with the El Nino weather pattern bringing huge amount of snow to the Californian resort, and history will be made when the world’s best freeriders will get the chance to challenge the steep rock face.

After two completed contests Kuzma is currently fourth in the Freeride World Tour Ranking 2010 For the Overall FWT Ranking Click Here.

About the Freeride World Tour:
The Freeride World Tour was launched in 2008 and after just two full seasons is already recognized by riders, the ski industry and the media as the pinnacle of the sport. In 2010, the best freeriders: men, women, skiers and snowboarders alike, will visit some of the world’s most renowned ski resorts in pursuit of the world title. The four-stop Freeride World Tour is supported by 18 Freeride World Qualifier events around the world where the same criteria for event organization, choice of locations, security, contest format, and judging is applied. The Volkl New Zealand Freeski Open held in August is an official qualifying event.

www.freerideworldtour.com

Article care of New Zealand Snow Sports

RECOMMENDATION FOR WANAKA SPORTS FACILITY

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:33:00 +0000

The Queenstown Lakes District Council will be asked next week to make a milestone decision for the Upper Clutha Community. The recommendation is to confirm the preferred location for a future indoor recreation and aquatic facilities as the Wanaka Recreation Reserve (showgrounds site), QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes said.

“What this means is that this exciting and desperately needed project for the Upper Clutha can start to become a reality. The decision next week is only about the site and now we look forward to being able to progress the building design,” Mr Geddes said.

The process had already spanned more than two years with the Wanaka Sports and Aquatic Centre Working Parties formed in 2008.

“Discussion documents have been released, drop in sessions held. We consulted on this issue as a key project in the 10-Year-plan round last year, it’s time to move this project forward,” Mr Geddes said.

On behalf of the council and the Wanaka Community Board, Mr Geddes wanted to publicly thank the working parties and all those members of the community who had made submissions.

The recommendation included the development of a concept plan addressing the location of not only the indoor stadium but also a future aquatic centre the A and P Show and building, the camp facilities, the rugby club and others.

“Both council and the community board are really looking forward to working with the A and P Show, the Rugby Club and others to make sure that the development can meet the needs of all users,” Mr Geddes said.

An indoor events centre had the potential to service all needs, such as an indoor display area for the show and facilities for the camping grounds.

“The ambition here is to provide a structure that provides value for the whole community, it is a real shot in the arm for the Upper Clutha,’ Mr Geddes said.

The recommendation also stated that an option should be prepared that included the retention of a limited camping facility at the reserve and that the improvements to the existing pool be implemented.

The 10-Year-Plan had $10.6 million allocated to building the sports facility with a further $350,000 to upgrade the pool.

“If the recommendation is successful next week, we will look at doing the pool work from April this year and all going well start construction of the sports facility in 2013,” he said.

The decision about the site would initiate a new series of work streams with the community. The project required concept plans, facility-needs consultation, operational cost assessments, notification, designation and design.

“There is still a lengthy public process to be undertaken but the sooner we take the decision, the sooner we can get on with delivering a first class facility for the Upper Clutha communities,” Mr Geddes said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Mayor Clive Geddes 03 441 0499.

2010 Burton Snowboards range Now Available

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:11:00 +0000

Hi Crew,

we have the new 2010 Burton Snowboards range now up to view online. We will be taking delivery of the stock in store just before Easter but we are taking pre orders on all products as we did sell out pretty early on quite a few things last year, like Ion boots, Chopper kids boards and Feather Snowboard packages for the girls. We will have some year ahead 2011 model snowboards coming in april/may also and we will put these up online as soon Burton release the specs to us. The graphics for the 2011 boards will be hidden until the 1st of August as we're not allowed to show them until then upon pain of death. Google them if you're curious, they not too hard to find.
Some of the 2010 range is available right now on order from Burton so let us know what you're interested in and we'll see if we can get it, they have quite a bit of stock so most of it we can get right now especially boots and bindings.
My picks from the range are the Joystick snowboard, i rode one of these last season and it was super fun, it has V rocker and was really easy to play around on and throw spins and butters, more solid then the Hero or the Custom even, but still a great ride over the whole mountain.
And the CO2 EST bindings, these things are so tech and light, like a top spec S class benz, everything new and tech all in one sick looking package. And if you're wondering about the new EST/Channel system, get on it, you won't regret it.
We have also added the Burton Clash and Bullet packages for the guys to go along with the Feather packages for the girls. These are hard to beat for value.
If there's anything we don't have (very unlikely ;-)) let us know and we'll try and get it for you.

Peace and good beats
Matt

http://www.basenz.com/shop/B39_Burton_Snowboards.html

Snow Park Season Pass Pricing Announced

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:35:00 +0000

Press Release – Monday, February 22, 2010

Snow Park NZ Announces 2010 Pricing

It is hard to imagine with the great summer recently in Wanaka, that it is already time to start thinking about purchasing season passes for the winter.

Season pass sales will commence on March 1st through the new Snow Park NZ Online Store, and will end March 31st, linked through the current website. Three pass pricing categories will be offered in 2010: Early-Bird, Pre-Season and In-Season. Rates for Pre Season and In Seasons will be released at a later date.

SNOW PARK NZ – 2010 Early Bird Seasons Passes

PASS TYPE EARLY BIRD

ADULT $499

NZ STUDENT $399

CHILD – U18 $249

Local Child – U18* $99

Family Pass** $899

* Otago and Southland high school students will be able to purchase a $99 seasons pass by collecting a form from their school or by emailing us at info@snowparknz.com for a form.

** Family pass is only for Otago/Southland Families and conditions apply

Snow Park’s goal is to make it as affordable as possible to ski and ride at one of the Southern Lakes friendliest resorts. Our expanded night riding program to have Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights this year makes our pass one of the best value passes on the market.

New this year for Otago and Southland families is the Family Pass, $899 for 2 adults and 2 children. This represents the best possible value for local families.

Added value to all seasons passes this year is free trail access to the Snow Farm, and 20% discounts on day passes at Treble Cone, Ohau and NZSKI.com resorts.

Ongoing terrain developments and new investments will ensure more terrain and new exciting features that will open early and be maintained throughout the season.

Passes can be bought from our website www.snowparknz.com or from our new office on the corner of Helwick and Dunmore streets.

Snow Park Seasons Passes On Sale Soon!

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:44:00 +0000

Press Release form Snow Park -

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand – Snow Park NZ announces season pass pricing on Monday, February 22^nd for the 2010 season with passes on sale Wednesday, February 24^th.

Snow Park’s season passes will prove to be one of the best values in the country. With an extra evening of night riding on Saturday night, skiers and riders have even more options each week to decide when they want to ride. We will be adding a loyalty discount for anyone who had a seasons pass in 2008 and 2009 to show our thanks to our regular customers.

“We are incredibly excited about 2010. Adding another night riding session each week and maintaining our commitment to snow making make this pass one of the BEST VALUE PASSES on the New Zealand market. Combined with traditional sunny Snow Park days, lack of crowds and shorter lift lines than other resorts in the region, and the Snow Park season pass is an unbeatable product. Your going to get more time on snow for your dough” – Sam Lee, Snow Park General Manager.

An exciting new offering this year is Snow Park’s family pass. As financial pressures remain on families, we will be offering a family pass for two adults and two children (additional children can be added to the family pass for $99). Increasing the value of this pass even further, it provides access to Snow Farm cross country skiing for the entire season.

“Snow Park is such a fun place to come ski and snowboard. Our hospitality facilities, family atmosphere and reliable snow conditions mean no matter when you come up to Snow Park, we will deliver great times and good memories “ Sam Lee, General Manager.

There you have it team, snowpark is looking good for winter 2010, if you want to get your shred on with no lift lines and plenty of space, get your pass on Wednesday.

Matt

3 Day Online Sunglass Sale Starts Tuesday 23rd

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:51:00 +0000

That's right team we are taking 25% off all sunglasses for 3 days only starting next Tuesday the 23rd of Feb. This is an online only sale so don't pop into the store, you gotta check them out online. We have a huge range in stock with all the new styles from Smith, Oakley, Dragon, Von Zipper, Arnette, Anon and Electric. Move fast on Tuesday as the good stuff will go quick.

To check out the range and pick your favorite pair ready for Tuesday have a look here

http://www.basenz.com/shop/C65_Sunglasses.html

25% OFF All Sunglasses 3 Days Only

Online/Phone sales only

Starts this Tuesday 23rd of Feb 2010

#the sale is on stock that is in store only.

A note from Base Team Rider, Tim Herbert

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:50:00 +0000

Hey

I Had a comp this weekend and I had to wake up at 5:00 am because the resort is about 1 and a half hours from where we live. I was gutted because the jumps in the park were so flat and the pipe was out of shape. I crashed second run in slope because i was over correcting my back 5s because i wasn't used to the takeoffs and I got 3rd in pipe. I have to say winter park is in my top 5 for worst mountains ever Because every time im there its crap weather the takeoffs are flat and too thin and the pipe is out of shape and under vert. I'm amped that I might be competing in a rev tour a boreal but its not confirmed yet.

Were scheduled to go to woodward tomorrow and im going to get back rodeos down on trampoline so I can transfer them to snow. Also this house is like a prison because i have been grounded for a week for coming home 16 min late and there is nothing to do here accept eat, sleep, watch movies and go on facebook... thats it!

Cheers Tim

Support the Fundraising Auction for Disabled Snowboarder Carl Murphy going for World Cup Gold

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:31:00 +0000

Auction Items include a framed signed 2009 All Black Jersey, 2010 Cardrona Seasons Pass, $1,000 Architectural Services and many more great items and spot prizes.

This auction is a fundraiser for NZ Snowboard Team member Carl Murphy. Carl competes on the Adaptive Snowboard World Cup circuit, for athletes with a disability. Carl snowboards wearing a prosthetic leg specifically designed for snowboarding. Currently he is ranked second in the world in adaptive snowboard cross, gained here in New Zealand at the World Championships in 2009. He will train and compete in the USA and Canada in March and April this season at two World Cups, before returning back to Wanaka for our winter. Carl will also be in Whistler to support adaptive teammates Adam Hall and Peter Williams compete in the Paralympics next month.

Fundraising Auction Night - 6 pm Thursday 25th February 2010 at Lone Star Café & Bar, Wanaka.

A fantastic evening starting with a complimentary drink and nibbles, followed by the excitement of the auction. Other auction items include a Green Stone Carving by Drax (Nick Draxal - freeski coach), Wanaka Helicopter flight, Aspiring massage, Lone Star Dinner for 2, Beauty Therapy voucher from Pure Skin Therapy, Oakridge romantic dinner for 2 including bottle of bubbly and soak in the hot pools, Relishes Café Voucher and many more items up for grabs.

Do you need to be in Wanaka to bid??? NO. Show your support by registering your Telephone bid prior to the auction. Phone Carl on 021 02985200.

Loads of spot prizes will add to the fun of the evening, so please come and join us.
Thanks to all who have donated items for auction. Support those who support us......

If you would like to donate to Carl's fundraising but not wish to bid, you can donate online to Disabled Snowsports NZ - add Carl Murphy to the information line and we will make sure he gets it. Donate On Line

If you cant attend but know someone that might like to please pass on this email.

Thanks for your support.

See you there.

For more information on Carl and this event go to www.snow.co.nz/carl or email carl@snow.co.nz

New Zealand's Janina Kuzma, Ranked Third in Freeride World Tour

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:29:00 +0000

Fieberbrunn, Austria - With a fourth place finish at the second stop of the Freeride World Tour in Fieberbrunn, New Zealand’s Janina Kuzma has moved up to the number three spot in the Freeride World Tour rankings and has received a wild card entry for the third stop at Squaw Valley .

On the challenging north face of Wildseeloder, 14 riders competed for a purse of 8.000 Euro and points for the overall tour ranking.

A perfectly sunny day and a layer of fresh snow made for great, yet difficult conditions, as the base was rather shallow. Therefore aggressive, fluid skiing was in demand.

Defending Freeride World Tour champion, Ane Enderud had the best run of the day followed by Janette Hargin of Sweden. Austrian Lorraine Huber placed third.

The third tour stop follows at the end of the month in the United States where riders will get to ski the legendary Tram Face in Squaw Valley.

Teammate Sam Smoothy also competed but took a fall and sustained an injury to his leg, which resulted in a helicopter evacuation to the hospital.

Article care of Snowsports NZ

A note from Base Team Rider Tim Herbert

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:45:00 +0000

Hey

I've been training at copper for the week and its been pretty crappy weather we really need some snow because riding the trees is very difficult when you have to avoid rocks as well. next weekend i have a comp at winterpark for slope and halfpipe it should be fun because winter parks slope course is so dope. and the other week were were on our way back from the gym with 10 people in the car and we stopped at a red light and a cops truck was waiting behind us and as soon as we pulled out of the light the lights were flashing behind us but the police man let us off with a warning because he said when he was in college he had way more then 10 people in a 5 seater car. our councilor Eric is going to help us build a rail setup in the back yard

Cheers Tim

CARDRONA EXPANDS TERRAIN FOR 2010 SEASON

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:58:00 +0000

SOUTHERN LAKES, New Zealand (xx January 2010) Cardrona Alpine Resort is installing a fourth chairlift this summer in phase one of an expansion project which will increase the resort’s boundaries and the number of intermediate and advanced runs on offer. This means that Cardrona will now have more chairlifts than any other South Island mountain.

The Valley View quad will extend the resort’s terrain from the bottom of the Whitestar lift down to the Speed Straight section of the access road. The former Captains Quad lift’s new position will mean Cardrona’s lift-serviced vertical will increase by 250 metres and the ski area will grow to a total size of 345 hectares. An additional car park will be built for season pass holders for easy and quick access on to the lift, when in operation.

The new Valley View Quad will increase Cardrona’s lift-serviced vertical to a total of 600 metres which will enable the resort to build a FIS homologated downhill course named “Goldrush”. As part of this development a 40 metre tunnel is being installed to allow uninterrupted access from the Captains Express to the bottom of the Whitestar Express.

“It is very rewarding to be able to open up new terrain for Cardrona customers to enjoy” said Cardrona sales and marketing manager, Nadia Ellis. “This development has been in the pipelines for a few years so it’s really great to see phase one underway.”

Phase two will continue next summer with the installation of extensive snowmaking in the Valley View area to ensure top to bottom skiing throughout the season. Further groundwork will also be carried out to develop trails in the area.

For further information visit www.cardrona.com

-ends-

For further information, please contact:
Nadia Ellis
Sales & Marketing Manager

Nadia Ellis
Sales & Marketing Manager
03 443 7341 ext 718

Cardrona Alpine Resort
www.Cardrona.com

NZ Freeskier Amy Sheehan gains Wildcard Invite to Winter X Games 14

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:48:00 +0000

NZ freeskier Amy Sheehan has just received a wildcard invite to compete in the Winter X Games 14 in Aspen Colorado this weekend. Amy will be competing in the womens superpipe competition with prelims starting tomorrow afternoon with 12 invited riders, the top 6 advancing to the finals on Saturday. Amy is 22 years old from Wanaka NZ and skis for Rossignol Skis, this is her first ever invite to ski at Winter X Games.
Amy has been practising in the pipe at Aspen over the last few days and is loving it.
The crew at www.rossignolnz.com wish her all the best, as does the Base Crew!
Check out Amy at Winter X Games 14 on espn on Sky this weekend
Good Luck Amy!!

The Crew@Base

First Members of NZ's Olympic Teams Named for VanOc 2010

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:04:00 +0000

Wellington, NZ (22 January 2010) - The New Zealand Olympic Committee has named the first members of its team to the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. Ten athletes across five sports have been named with the snowboard team yet to be announced.
Among those named today are first time Olympians Mitchey Greig (21, Freeski), Tim Café (22, Alpine Ski) and Ben Koons (23, Cross-Country Ski). These young athletes will join the team alongside the more experienced Olympian Ben Sandford who finished tenth in Skeleton at Torino 2006.

In addition, Sarah Murphy has been selected as New Zealand’s first Olympic biathlete pending confirmation of a quota spot from the International Federation.

Chef de Mission to Vancouver, Peter Wardell is delighted to have the first members of the squad named. “With just 22 days until the Opening Ceremony, it certainly has been a nerve wracking wait for the athletes. They have maintained intense training and competition schedules and now can focus on what lies ahead. I’m delighted to welcome the athletes to the team. We’ve raised the bar and I know they’ll step up and make us proud. We’re looking forward to additional announcements next week.”

New Zealand Olympic Selector and Secretary General Barry Maister also welcomed the athletes to the team and said that strategies around high performance in Winter Sport are paying off. “There has been an increased focus on Winter Sports in New Zealand and the NZOC has supported this with the distribution of Olympic Solidarity scholarships to the athletes to the value of $330,000, seed funding of the 2009 Winter Games NZ and ongoing financial support for the Winter Performance Programme (WPP). We’re positive that the combined efforts of the NZOC, NZAS, SPARC and the WPP will lead to improved Olympic performances at Vancouver and then on to Sochi 2014. ”

The athletes are currently based in the Northern Hemisphere. They will come into one of two Olympic Villages situated in Whistler and Vancouver ahead of the Opening Ceremony on the 12th of February. The Olympic Winter Games close on the 28th of February.

New Zealand first took part in a Winter Olympic Games in 1952 in Oslo with a team of five athletes. Since then, New Zealand has had 72 winter Olympians and one winter medallist – Annelise Coberger who took silver in the slalom in 1992 at Albertville. New Zealand’s next best results were two fourths in short-track skating (relay team and individual) at Albertville in 1992, 8th in short-track skating in Lillehammer in 1994 and a 10th in the skeleton at Torino.

Of the 1111 named New Zealand Olympians fewer than 7% have earned this coveted title at winter games. New Zealand’s newest Olympians will be numbered on their return to New Zealand from 1112 upwards.

Team List

Cross Country Skiing
Ben Koons (23, Dunedin (lives in Maine, US)
Katie Calder (29, Tauranga (born in Canberra)

Skeleton
Tionette Stoddard (35, Dunedin)
Iain Roberts (30, Edinburgh, Scotland)
Ben Sandford (30, Rotorua, 10th Torino 2006)

Skating
Blake Skjellerup (Short Track, 24, Christchurch)
Shane Dobbin (Speed Skating, 30, Palmerston North – 2 x World Champion in-line skating)

Freeski
Michelle Greig (Mitchey) (21, Queenstown)

Alpine Ski
Tim Cafe (22, Queenstown)
Ben Griffin (23, Ohakune)

Confirmed Pending Quota Spots Being offered by the IF
Sarah Murphy (21, Banff Canada and Cadrona)

Still to be named
Snowboard - pending final competition and confirmation of quota spots by IF.

Article care of Snowsports NZ

Oakley Frogskins Anti Freeze Drops In Store!!

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:18:00 +0000

The Freshest colourway to drop in the Oakley Frogskin s line has dropped in store this morning. The semi transparent acid green Anti Freeze Frogskins with Black Iridium mirrored lenses have so much pop you may injure those around you. The Anti Freeze green is one of the best colourways to come out in the Frogskin range in last 12 months. With a red screen print Oakley logo on the arms contrasting with the crazy see thru green frames it will be hard to be missed in these babies. We've only got 4 pairs in stock so as usual with Frogskins these will be very limited edition.
Give us a call on 0800 BASESHOP to get your pair or get in store Now!

http://www.basenz.com/shop/P1364_Oakley_Frogskins_Sunglasses.html

www.BaseNZ.com

New Nixon Headphones in store

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:35:00 +0000

Hey Crew

Happy New Year to you all it's shaping up to be a good one, with great snowfall's in North America, Europe and Japan I'm hoping the 2010 Southern Hemi Winter follows the north and the snow just keeps on coming.

To the case at hand, we have got a great selection of Nixon Headphone's in store and available online. Being Nixon these headphones are premium with great sound quality and super stylish design. So if you're looking for some fresh headphone's for your new ipod or iphone some Nixon Headphones could be the way to go.

Check them out right here

http://www.basenz.com/shop/C211_Nixon_Headphones.html

We're so proud of Beau & Jackson!

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:09:00 +0000

Press release from Snowsports NZ

Copper Mountain, Colorado (USA) - While older brothers Jossi and Byron Wells are in the final stages of preparations for this month’s Winter X Games, their younger siblings are busy showing they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

Beau-James, 14, and Jackson, 11, swept this weekend’s United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA) event at Copper Mountain, each winning a pair of Gold medals in their age groups. Traditionally devoted to snowboarding, USASA events now include freeski competitions, as well.

Both Wells boys out-classed the competition in Saturday’s ski halfpipe competition, with Beau-James throwing down a stylish 900 as part of a clean run through the pipe. Jackson also proved to be the class in his age group, winning gold in sunny conditions at Copper Mountain.

“I’m really happy with my result,” said Beau-James, who despite his age finished a creditable 30th in a Dew Tour event earlier this season. Amongst his peers, though, he showed his class as an up-and-coming elite competitor.

“Beau has been competing in some open division events this season, so it’s a nice mix to have him come back and compete in his age group and have some success,” said his father, Bruce Wells.

More than 100 skiers competed in the event across all of the age groups. Sunday turned out to be no different as the Wells boys swept the slopestyle competition, each winning Gold. Beau-James’s run featured an un-natural 7 and a switch-900.

“It was good competition for me,” he said, giving credit to superstar brother Jossi, who coached the boys throughout the weekend.

SOUTHBEACH IS HIRING FULL TIME STAFF

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:53:00 +0000

RHOMBUS IN DUB Live- plus MC Antsman and special guest DUB TERMINATOR

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:31:00 +0000

Rhombus Productions, Revolver & Base present
RHOMBUS IN DUB Live- plus MC Antsman and special guest DUB TERMINATOR.
NYE, QUEENSTOWN 31 Dec 2009 and WANAKA 2 Jan 2010

On the back of sell out shows across the North Island, Australia and Japan, Rhombus in Dub touch down for the first time in the South Island, bringing their heavyweight sounds of summer to Queenstown and Wanaka.

Rhombus in Dub are Rhombus founders/members Thomas Voyce, Simon Rycroft and Koa Williams. Live and direct from the studio, they take their unique blend of all things heavyweight and mash it up live to the dance-floor massive, including brand new tunes, some old favourites and the non-stop classics - all with that unique flavour New Zealand has come to love!

Catch them live in Queenstown on New Year's Eve at Memorial Hall 31 Dec 2009 and 2nd of January 2010 at the Lake Wanaka Centre. If you want to celebrate the new year with big bass, there is only one gig in town and a show not to miss!

More info:
www.rhombus.co.nz <http://www.rhombus.co.nz>
www.myspace.com/rhombusmusic <http://www.myspace.com/rhombusmusic>

Book now online, at:
http://www.iticketexpress.co.nz/events/2010/jan/rhombus-in-dub-2010-lake-wanaka-centre/
http://www.iticketexpress.co.nz/events/2009/dec/rhombus-in-dub-nye-queenstown/

Queenstown Memorial Hall, Joe O'Connell Drive, Frankton, Queenstown
Thursday, 31 December 2009, 8:00 p.m. R-18
$35 (+bf) pre-sales (more$ on the door) available now:

Lake Wanaka Centre, 89 Ardmore Street, Wanaka
Saturday, 2 January 2010, 8:00 p.m.
$30 (+bf) pre-sales (more$ on the door) available now:

BASE Lake Wanaka, Corner Helwick + Dunmore St, Wanaka
phone (03) 443 6699
BASE Ultimate Rentals, 39 Helwick St, Wanaka

MEDIA RELEASE: WANAKA FEEDBACK

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:54:00 +0000

Proposed options for two key Wanaka streets will be available for public feedback from next week, Queenstown Lakes District Council infrastructure strategy manager Denis Mander said.

The council recently adopted the Wanaka Town Centre Strategy, which reflects work undertaken in the Wanaka 2020 process.

“The strategy flagged improvements to Ardmore and Brownston Streets. The council is now investigating changes to these streets and is asking the community for feedback,’ Mr Mander said.

Amongst the options being looked at were:
•the installation of a roundabout at the Ardmore Street / Brownston Street intersection;
•changes to parking on Brownston Street and on the lakefront;
•possible changes to the Lakeside Avenue / Ardmore Street intersection;
•some streetscape improvements on upper Ardmore Street.

“We will hold an informal drop-in session at the Lake Wanaka Centre on Thursday, 10 December from 8am to 10am to answer questions, show the options and get feedback,” Mr Mander said.

The information would also be available next week at the council office in Wanaka and on the council website www.qldc.govt.nz

Feedback can be sent to the council (email services@qldc.govt.nz with ‘Streets’ in the subject line) by 5 February 2010.

“I will then report on the feedback at the Wanaka Community Board meeting in March,” Mr Mander said.

ENDS
For further information please contact Denis Mander 03 441 0499

Nixon Watches Join BaseNZ.com

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:44:00 +0000

That's right team I'm stoked to let you know that we now have a huge range of Nixon Watches on www.BaseNZ.com . Nixon make some seriously cool watches, from the super stylish Banks to the high tech Delta down to the nerdy Newton Digital Watch, Nixon Watches have you covered. They haven't forgotten the ladies either with super cool pieces like the Broken Heart Pendant watch and the bold and bright Time Teller PU Watch. My favorite is the classic Player reworked into the Rubber Player with crazy colours, very cool & rubbery.

We have almost the entire range of Nixon Watches available online but if there's a Nixon Watch you want that we don't have up there please email or call us with your request and we should be able to find it for you.

Peace out

Matt

Seb Toutant signs with Ride Snowboards

noreply@blogger.com (BaseNZ.com) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:49:00 +0000

Some great news from the boys at Ride Snowboards

Toutant to Ride Ride

Rampant rumors have been confirmed by Ride Snowboards that 17-year-old Quebecois phenom Sebastien Toutant is the newest member of Ride’s International snowboard team.

Sebastien Toutant, affectionately known as Seb Toots, is a Montreal-based shredder that has stomped his way to the top of the current TTR leader board by taming some of the biggest snowboard contests around the world. His latest accomplishments include winning the Freestyle Berlin Big Air, claiming second place at the Freestyle.Ch. Big Air comp and crushing the Burton NZ Open slopestyle event. Last season Seb captured Ride’s attention by winning the Ride Shakedown event in front of 20,000 fans at Mt. Saint Sauvier, Quebec, for the second time.

“What’s this kid going to do next?” said Matt Sickels, Ride’s team manager. “He has the ability to win every event he enters. Whatever he does, we’re glad he’s going to be doing it with a Ride board and bindings. He’s a rising super talent who’s just getting started.”

Ride looks for versatility in its pro riders and which it found in Seb, according to Sickels.

“It wasn’t only Seb’s big air and slopestyle skills that impressed us but his professional approach to his career that is only equaled by the fun he is having. Seb is a super well-rounded snowboarder that shows potential in all disciplines of snowboarding. He’s joining a team that is the most progressive in the industry and his input will play a big role in helping Ride continue to develop state-of-the-art products.”

“Ride is the real deal,” Seb said. “The gear gets it done like no other. I’ve been a fan forever so being on the team is so sick! It’s perfect timing and I want to grow with a team and a brand that keeps bringing snowboarding to the next level.”

Seb Quote-
“I'm so happy to be representing RIDE Snowboard from now on. I am especially thankful to them that they are committed to help me keep progressing and growing the right way into snowboarding. I got some boards and after trying the RIDE KINK, I didn't even have to try the other ones that I felt in love with it. Same for bindings the RIDE EX Binding are the most comfortable binding ever made. With their toe strap net system, it keeps my boots solid and stable in place. I am excited for RIDE Shakedown again this year since I am the only rider to won it twice. Especially that they have 2 stops this year, again in St-Sauveur but also one in Seattle. I am looking forward to work closely with RIDE Snowboard; I know this will be a good fit for me for a long time.”

Seb will be riding the Ride Kink 147, DH 151, and Society 151 boards, and Contraband™, Delta and EX Bindings during the 2009-10 season.